The morning sun had barely cleared the eastern horizon when the team reconvened in the administrative building's meeting room. The atmosphere was different from the previous day's formal negotiation, it was more relaxed, though an undercurrent of seriousness ran through their casual conversation.
"Sleep well?" Ethan asked as he settled into his chair, his tone suggesting he hadn't.
"Well enough," Victor replied, though the shadows under his eyes told a different story. "Spent most of the night thinking it through."
Sam was already at the table, his notebook open to fresh pages covered in neat columns of pros and cons. "I made a list," he said.
"Of course you did," Lily smiled, helping herself to the tea that Maria had prepared.
AJ stood near the window, his human form relaxed as he watched the settlement beginning its daily routines. Walter arrived last, his cane tapping against the floor as he made his way to his seat.
"So," Maria began once everyone had settled. "The River's Eye."
The discussion that followed was thorough but efficient. They'd all spent the night thinking through the River's Eye's offer, and their conclusions aligned more than they'd expected.
Within an hour, they had established clear boundaries: security details, resource locations, and cultivation methods would remain private. General information about Valentra's development and short to mid-term plans could be shared.
"So we're on the same page?" Maria asked, looking around the table. "We move forward with the partnership on these terms?"
Nods and murmurs of agreement came from around the table. Even Victor, who'd been the most sceptical, seemed satisfied with the conditions they'd established.
"Then let's bring Aldric in and see if he's ok with our terms."
---
Aldric arrived in the following few minutes. His expression showed professional interest but no obvious expectation of success or failure.
"Thank you for meeting again so promptly," Aldric said as he took his seat. "Have you reached a decision?"
"We're interested in moving forward," Maria replied. "But we'd like to discuss specific terms and establish clear parameters for the partnership."
"Of course," Aldric nodded, his posture relaxing slightly.
"Before we begin," Maria continued, "we'd like to understand what you already know about Valentra."
Aldric appreciated the direct approach. "Fair enough. I'll be honest with you, we've been observing Valentra's development for several months through the River Pact's presence here."
Sam caught Maria's eye briefly. Thessa had been thorough in her reports.
"Our knowledge isn't complete," Aldric began. "But your population is approximately 400 residents. You have a reliable iron ore source, cultivation training programs, and we have a rough idea of your metalworking capabilities."
He paused, gauging their reactions.
"We also know you're holding prisoners from the Iron Vanguard attack, though the details of that battle remain unclear to us. We also don't know the specifics of your operations, your production numbers, defensive capabilities, or your long-term strategic plans."
Victor's expression remained neutral, though his eyes had narrowed slightly at the extent of Aldric's knowledge. It was more than they'd hoped but less than they'd feared, the River's Eye had a good idea of Valentra's state of affairs.
"That's more or less what we expected," Maria said. "Thank you for being straightforward about it."
"Now then," Aldric said, folding his hands on the table. "What terms did you have in mind?"
Maria glanced at her team before responding. "We're willing to provide regular trade goods, like metalwork including tools and hardware, wooden furniture and goods, and preserved foods. In exchange, we want access to materials for our craftsmen, and special goods that aren't readily available to us."
"Sounds reasonable," Aldric acknowledged. "The River's Eye can facilitate those exchanges. What about information sharing?"
"A monthly meeting to give updates," Maria proposed. "You provide information on regional developments, monster movements, resource discoveries, settlements growing or collapsing, information that helps us understand the wider situation. We will share the general happenings in and around Valentra and our short to mid terms plans and goals."
"That's acceptable." Aldric nodded slowly.
"Now what about your operational presence? Will you be maintaining people here?" Walter asked.
"We'd like to use the existing River Pact buildings for coordinating our operations," Aldric explained. "A small office space for managing information flow and trade coordination. Captain Thessa and her traders will continue their normal activities, but we'll have a dedicated area for River's Eye business."
"That's ideal," Maria said.
"One more thing," Aldric said. "The River's Eye would be interested in information about your cultivation training methods. Not the techniques themselves necessarily, but the framework, how you're organizing training and what you've learned about efficient progression."
Victor's posture shifted almost imperceptibly and Ethan leaned forward.
Maria met Aldric's gaze steadily. "All things related to cultivation are strategic assets, especially the information you're asking for."
"I understand," Aldric replied without missing a beat. "Then perhaps a more limited exchange, if we encounter cultivation resources or techniques in our trading network, we pass that along to you. In return, you share insights on what works and what doesn't."
The rising tension in the room slowly dissipated.
"That's more reasonable," Maria said. "We can share broad observations, like what cultivation methods seem effective and what challenges people face. But we won't share anything specific about our techniques or individual capabilities."
"That'll work," Aldric nodded. "We'll keep you informed of cultivation-related resources and information we come across."
The negotiation continued as they worked through the exact details. Aldric proved flexible on most points while maintaining firm positions on the River's Eye's core principles.
Finally, Maria sat back in her chair. "I think we have the framework for an agreement. We'll need some time to draft a formal written contract, but does this verbal agreement work for now?"
"It does," Aldric said, satisfaction evident in his expression. "The River's Eye is pleased to welcome Valentra as a partner. I believe this will be mutually beneficial for both parties."
"There is one immediate request," Maria added. "We'd like to put this partnership to work right away. We want higher quality metals for our smithy and any other special materials you have access to."
Aldric considered the question. "I can start the process immediately. We have contacts who can provide quality metals, along with herbs, leathers, and other specialized goods."
"What would you want in exchange?" Maria asked.
"Metal tools would be ideal, quality implements are always in demand. Some preserved foods as well." He paused. "There's one other thing worth mentioning. The River's Eye is developing a standardized currency system. It's not ready yet, but once implemented, exchanges like this become significantly simpler."
Sam's eyes shone. "How far along is the development?"
"Early stages. We're still coordinating with our major partners. But I wanted you to know it's coming, Valentra's partnership means you'll be included in those discussions."
Walter tapped his cane thoughtfully. "A unified currency would benefit everyone involved."
"Precisely why we're pursuing it," Aldric agreed. "I'll provide more details when the system is closer to implementation."
"Alright, we can have tools ready within a few days," Maria said. "And our food stores are well-stocked, I'll let Kai know about the details and you can keep in touch with him."
"Excellent," Aldric replied. "I'll send word through our network. The materials should arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, depending on distances and availability."
The meeting concluded with handshakes and professional courtesies. As Aldric departed, the team remained seated around the table.
After a few moments, Victor broke the silence. "We're committed now."
"We are," Maria agreed. "But I think we negotiated good terms. We maintained our boundaries while gaining access to resources and information we couldn't get otherwise."
Walter tapped his cane thoughtfully. "This changes Valentra's position in the region. We're connected to a larger network of communities and organisations which is going to bring opportunities but also responsibilities."
"And attention," AJ added quietly. "The more connected we become, the more visible we are."
Maria nodded. "We'll need to be careful about managing that visibility. But for now, I think we made the right choice."
The meeting adjourned as the team dispersed to their various responsibilities. Maria headed towards the workshops to find and brief Kai, whilst Victor and Walter walked together casually chatting. Sam was flipping through his notes as he headed back to his makeshift lab, no doubt planning his next research project.
AJ remained by the window long after the others had departed, his gaze moving across Valentra's changed landscape.
The expanded residential blocks stretching north and inching towards the west. The workshop complex where Robert's forge rang with constant activity.
The agricultural fields that now extended beyond the walls where Lily's management had maintained their food security. The electric lights that now illuminated the buildings, products of Sam's research and efforts.
His own role in that transformation had shifted in ways he was still processing. In the early days, he'd been essential, he was the primary source of materials, weapons, and tools. Every expedition had required his presence, construction projects had depended on his ability to produce what they needed.
Now, with established trade routes and regular mining expeditions, that demand had diminished. The bison pulled carts loaded with iron ore on schedule.
Robert's apprentices could craft basic tools while Robert himself crafted the more complex tools and parts. The River's Eye partnership would bring even more resources from distant sources.
The realisation brought relief rather than concern. His mana reserves, once constantly depleted by material processing and production, were recovering faster than he consumed them. He had time now, time to focus on himself.
His cultivation path, for one. AJ's progression would be different from the others. Where they meditated and circulated energy through carefully developed channels, his entire form served as his cultivation circulation system.
Every absorption of material, every transformation of his substance, every experiment with his abilities contributed to his growth but it wasn't actual progress towards his cultivation.
He'd been experimenting quietly over recent months, testing the limits of what his slime body could achieve. His size manipulation had improved, the density changes becoming smoother and more controlled.
He could maintain his human form for longer periods without conscious effort, the shape holding stable through moments of distraction or surprise.
But there were plenty of abilities he hadn't discovered or fully explored. The potential for true mimicry for example, not just copying someone's appearance but also their voice and behaviour should be within his capabilities.
The River's Eye partnership opened new possibilities too. Access to distant settlements meant exposure to different cultivation methods, unusual materials he'd never encountered, and potentially other individuals with unique abilities granted by their wishes.
AJ's thoughts turned outwards, beyond Valentra's walls to the wider world that the River's Eye represented. The team had created a stable foundation here, something that could function without his constant presence.
Perhaps it was time to think about venturing back out into the wild. The Tower of Trials and Spire of Echoes had been important milestones in everyone's journey, but they'd stumbled upon them by accident. What other opportunities were out there, waiting to be discovered by someone willing to look for them?
The main obstacle was his connection to Valentra. Leaving for extended periods meant the settlement would lose access to his abilities entirely. He had been pondering on the matter for a while now and there was one idea that stuck had with him. What if he could divide a portion of himself, leave a part of himself here while the main portion explored elsewhere.
The River's Eye partnership also needed time to prove itself, and Valentra's stability after this major change was uncertain. Besides, the division technique would require careful experimentation, he'd need to understand how small a portion could function independently, whether communication across distance was possible, and what risks splitting himself might create.
But, once the settlement had adjusted to the new partnership and he'd worked out a solution to the problem, he could venture into those unknown territories.
The wider world was calling, and AJ was increasingly eager to answer.